Man leaves laboratory to win cycling gold

February 17, 2008|BY GARY CURRERI SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT

COOPER CITY — Once a year, Gary Golden emerges from the confines of a dentist's lab to compete in the cycling competition in the Senior Games.

The 80-year-old Davie man said he likes to ride because he likes the outdoors and he works in an 8-by-10 room in a dental office. Golden won the 5K, 10K and 1-mile cycling races in the 80-84 age group Jan. 27 at Brian Piccolo Park.

"It is a closet called a laboratory," said Golden, who sold his dental practice but works for a dentist part-time twice a week. "I like it better than running because I can see more. My bicycle is my transportation to and from the office, and to do my chores."

Golden said that he bikes 75 to 100 miles per week, including the 12-mile round trip to work. He started cycling at age 60 and said he never rode a bike when he was growing up.

"I am not sure why," Golden said. "My parents probably couldn't afford it. I may not be fast, but it gets me going. I have a compulsion that I must keep this body going. It is not easy because I have had asthma since I was 30. The riding doesn't bother me because I am 39 [in my head]."

Golden is also a drummer in the Riverside Dixieland Jazz Band. The group performs at country clubs in the Boca Raton area.

Golden's favorite biking story came from the two-day Smart Ride from Miami to Key West last March. Money raised by the riders goes to six Florida nonprofit AIDS service organizations.

Golden said they ride 100 miles the first day and 62 miles the second.

"I am slow, so I started a day ahead and did 50 to Tavernier," Golden said. "The next morning, I get up early and they are setting up the pit stop and I come barreling in and they said, 'Look at this old guy, he's first!'

"I didn't have the heart to tell them I had started early," Golden said with a sheepish grin.

Three years ago, Golden also won gold medals in 1-mile, 5K and 10K at the Senior Games.

"I won because I was the only one in the age group," Golden said. "I have a lot of fun with this."